Delaware

Split decision for ex-auditor: Delaware justices uphold 1 conviction, reverse another

Published

11 months ago

February 14, 2024

Split decision for ex-auditor: Delaware justices uphold 1 conviction, reverse another

McGuiness stands convicted of 1 of 5 original charges

Despite their differences in nuances of the law, the bottom line is that the justices have now spoken, potentially ending a two-and-a-half-year prosecutorial saga with political implications that had pitted first-term Attorney General Jennings and her office against another first-term statewide official.

Before McGuiness was charged in October 2021, political insiders had speculated that the two Democratic politicians might be candidates in the 2024 gubernatorial race to succeed Gov. John Carney, who by law can’t seek a third term. Instead, McGuiness exited the political arena the day of her sentencing, and Jennings is not seeking higher office at this time.

Unless Jennings refiles the charge of official misconduct and wins at a retrial, the end result of the unprecedented prosecution of McGuiness will be conviction on one of five counts.

McGuiness will remain convicted of misdemeanor conflict of interest over her hiring of her teenage daughter to a part-time job that continued remotely after she went to college in South Carolina.

Beyond Carpenter overturning the structuring conviction, jurors had also acquitted McGuiness of two felonies — theft and witness tampering.

Before running for auditor in 2018, McGuiness had a long career as a pharmacist, business owner and a Rehoboth Beach commissioner.

Jennings began investigating McGuiness after whistleblowers in her office contacted prosecutors in the Division of Civil Rights and Public Trust. Jennings publicly announced the October 2021 indictment on the steps of the New Castle County Courthouse in Wilmington.

The trial was eventually moved to Kent County, where a Superior Court jury found her guilty in July 2022. While awaiting sentencing she nonetheless ran for re-election, only to get trounced in the September Democratic primary.

At her October 2022 sentencing, prosecutors sought a 30-day prison sentence for McGuiness and $30,605 restitution to the state, citing her lack of remorse and other aggravating factors. Carpenter gave her a year of probation, 500 hours of community service, and a $10,000 fine.

Although she had three months remaining in her four-year term, McGuiness resigned a few hours after the sentencing. That occurred after Carney, a fellow Democrat, indicated he would exercise his constitutional duty to remove her after sentencing.

Jennings did not agree to an interview about the ruling but issued a statement that said it was a vindication of her decision to bring the public corruption case.

“After more than two years of endless litigation and theatrical rhetoric, the bottom line is that a jury, a Superior Court judge, and now the Delaware Supreme Court have all concluded that the ex-auditor’s actions were criminal,” her statement read.

Jennings added that “above all else, I am inspired by the courage of the whistleblowers who came forward to seek justice.”

While the criminal case might be over, a civil lawsuit by McGuiness against Jennings and others in her office is pending in U.S. District Court in Wilmington.

The federal lawsuit, filed in August 2023, claims her constitutional rights were violated when the chief investigator in Jennings’s office made false statements to get a search warrant for her office records. McGuiness also charge s that Jennings and then-prosecutor Mark Denney slandered her by making similar public remarks after she was indicted.

Source link

Delaware

Ex-NFL star DeSean Jackson finalizing deal to become head coach at Delaware State

Published

6 hours ago

December 26, 2024

Press Room

Ex-NFL star DeSean Jackson finalizing deal to become head coach at Delaware State

Former Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson is reportedly closing in on an agreement to become the next head coach at Delaware State University.

Jackson, 38, had an on-campus interview, and the school and ex-NFL wideout are expected to “come together” soon,” ESPN reported Thursday.

It was also reported that coaching at a historically black college or university (HBCU) was a “dream” for Jackson.

Jackson spent 15 years in the NFL with the Eagles, Washington, Rams, Raiders and Ravens, with his last season coming in 2022.

The three-time Pro Bowler does have coaching experience, serving as an assistant coach at Woodrow Wilson High School in his hometown of Long Beach, Calif. this year.

He is now getting close to taking over the football program at the HBCU that had just one win in 2024 and one win in 2023 after going 5-6 in 2022.

Now, the school will see if some of Jackson’s experience can rub off on the program.

Jackson finished his NFL career with 641 catches, 11,263 yards and 66 total touchdowns.

That came after a memorable college career at Cal, where he recorded 2,423 yards and 23 total touchdowns, earning All-American nods in 2006 and 2007.

The news about Jackson’s hiring came just days after former Eagles QB Michael Vick — and Jackson’s former teammate — was hired by Norfolk State to be its next coach.

If Jackson’s deal goes through, he will run into a Vick-led Norfolk State next season in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) play.

Vick said during a press conference that the new job would allow him to “serve young men in my community.”

“I understand the value of a HBCU,” Vick said at a press conference earlier this week. “The fact that it is in my hometown makes it even better.

“And so, it’s a great admiration for HBCUs, the NFL has numerous partnerships with HBCUs, so I think it shows that people care, you know, you’ve got these big time Division I programs where they’ve got all these amazing things, bells and whistles, money, and they tend to forget about the HBCUs and the schools that have the same type of prominence, and so, to start here, it wasn’t even by design.”

Source link

Delaware

Delaware County Opioid Settlement Task Force Needs Volunteer Members

Published

14 hours ago

December 26, 2024

Press Room

Delaware County Opioid Settlement Task Force Needs Volunteer Members

DELAWARE COUNTY, PA — Delaware County is looking for residents to sit on its Delaware County Opioid Settlement Task Force.

Sought are passionate and dedicated residents to serve on the task force.

Members help provide recommendations for immediate and long-term programs, work alongside community leaders, experts, and advocates, and ensure funds are used effectively, transparently, and for maximum impact.

“This is your chance to play a vital role in shaping how settlement funds are used to combat the opioid crisis in our community,”the county said.

Residents interested in serving on the task force can apply online here.

Source link

Delaware

Delaware Lottery Powerball, Lucky For Life winning numbers for Dec. 25, 2024

Published

23 hours ago

December 26, 2024

Press Room

Delaware Lottery Powerball, Lucky For Life winning numbers for Dec. 25, 2024

The Delaware Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024 results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from Dec. 25 drawing

15-26-27-30-35, Powerball: 03, Power Play: 3

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Dec. 25 drawing

04-10-35-42-45, Lucky Ball: 02

Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lotto America numbers from Dec. 25 drawing

04-05-40-42-52, Star Ball: 10, ASB: 03

Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

Sign the Ticket: Establish legal ownership by signing the back of your ticket with an ink pen.
Prizes up to $599: Claim at any Delaware Lottery Retailer, in person at the Delaware Lottery Office, or mail your signed ticket and claim form; print your name/address on the ticket’s back and keep a copy/photo for records. By mail, send original tickets and documentation to: Delaware Lottery, 1575 McKee Road, Suite 102, Dover, DE 19904.
Prizes up to $2,500: Claim in person at Delaware Lottery Retailer Claim Centers throughout Kent, Sussex and New Castle Counties.
Prizes of $5,001 or more: Claim in person at the Delaware Lottery Office (business days 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.) with a photo ID and Social Security card.
For all prize claims, directions to the Delaware Lottery Office are available online or via mapquest.com for a map.

Check previous winning numbers and payouts at Delaware Lottery.

Can I claim a jackpot prize anonymously in Delaware?

Fortunately for First State residents, the Delaware Lottery allows winners remain anonymous. Unlike many other states that require a prize be over a certain jackpot, Delawareans can remain anonymous no matter how much, or how little, they win.

How long do I have to claim my prize in Delaware?

Tickets are valid for up to one year past the drawing date for drawing game prizes or within one year of the announced end of sales for Instant Games, according to delottery.com.

When are the Delaware Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 10:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 11:00 p.m. on Tuesday and Friday.
Play 3, 4: Daily at 1:58 p.m. and 7:57 p.m., except Sunday afternoon.
Multi-Win Lotto: 7:57 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
Lucky for Life: Daily at 10:38 p.m.
Lotto America: 11:00 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday

Missed a draw? Peek at the past week’s winning numbers.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Delaware Online digital operations manager. You can send feedback using this form.

Source link